In Ears 'n' Eyes a visual, auditory treat

KITTERY, Maine — In Ears 'n' Eyes is a visual and auditory sensation that will treat ones ears and eyes to new conversations in jazz idioms at The Dance Hall, Saturday, March 9, 7-9:30 p.m.

In Ears 'n' Eyes is a visual and auditory sensation that will treat ones ears and eyes to new conversations in jazz idioms. This season's In Ears 'n' Eyes fuses painting, song, poetry, modal, tonal, bebop and classically inspired compositions into an astoundingly original not-to-be-missed cultural event. You will be hearing 6 original compositions plus one original arrangement based on a poem by Czelaw Milosz.

Past IENE performances have included jazz tap and video, but this iteration offers something new. IENE 2013 enjoys the addition of vocalist Taylor O'Donnell. She will be presenting her arrangement for 'voices,' of Milosz' poem 'Love,' set to the music of Sam Sadigursky. Jonny Peiffer is arranging his composition 'Starlings.' It is based on the intuitive, mesmerizing movement that starlings display when they migrate in flocks. New compositions will be debuted by Rob Gerry, Eric Klaxton, Zach Lange, Chris Klaxton and Matt Langley, who offered this about his piece. “It's taking shape, Matt stated.” Chuckling, he continued, “No really, my piece is called 'Taking Shape.' It explores the link between lines, spaces and shapes as they relate to art and music and shows how the two genres effect each other using written and improvised musical material.”

Each piece in the performance is designed to develop conversations with every performer: instrumental, visual and vocal. Rob Gerry's piece grows from classical roots using voicings and contrapuntal melodies with a straight eighth approach while Chris Klaxton's song builds from a single tone into a full-blown discussion as Roger Goldenberg's paint begins to gain influence. Because the production intends to engage the audience as Participant, each composer will say a few words about their compositions and in some instances the audience may be invited to participate.

The concept for In Ears 'n' Eyes germinated about 4 years ago after Goldenberg preformed his first improvisational painting with pianist Mike Melvoin at Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center during the Class of 59 reunion (view on YouTube). Goldenberg was already thinking of his artwork as visual jazz, however, and it was the inventive mind of Goldenberg's friend Matt Langley that conceived of In Ears 'n' Eyes. In fact, it was Matt who came up with its moniker. Matt proposed a more robust performance that would include other jazz performers. Goldenberg hesitated to make this leap because he had yet to work out the logistical details of mixing colors on stage during a performance. The idea percolated in Goldenberg for about a year.

Roger commented on his hesitancy, “The painting process is so much slower than music-making. I worry that watching somebody mix paint for a couple of hours would be only slightly more interesting than watching the paint dry.” Goldenberg's logistical dilemma was solved and his performer chops were honed during his on-stage performance in the West End Theatre's production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris a while back. Now that a number of performances of In Ears 'n' Eyes are under their belts, these adventurous performers are working to deepen the level of murmuration and conversation between their instruments and genres; thinking of new ways to present their material and how to include yet untapped genres for future performances.

The performance at the Dance Hall on March 9th marks another landmark for In Eyes 'n' Ears. This performance is being recorded. The documentation is being done by videographer Amanda Kowalski and sound engineer Chris Chase of 1,130 ft. Creative Media. The reason for the recording is to document the performance as an educational resource and to promote In Ears 'n' Eyes workshops and performances to schools in New Hampshire and beyond.

In fact, Goldenberg received the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts' prestigious Artist Entrepreneurial Grant Award to partially fund the creation of this video. At the end of March, Goldenberg will file the video with the State when he registers In Eyes 'n' Ears on NHSCA Artist/Teacher's Roster. The Artist/Teacher's Roster is a tool used by New Hampshire schools as a resource for finding quality, visiting artists for their schools and for artists to promote the sale of their workshops to schools. One of the musicians commented “We are all experienced and devoted educators, so it's a no-brainer that we present educational workshops in our schools.”

To date, a condensed version of an In Eyes 'n' Ears educational workshop was presented at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center to an all-ages contingent of students numbering eleven. The ages ranged from 12 to 70 something. It was a blast!

A raffle and silent auction will be held. The paintings created at the event will be sold by silent auction ongoing throughout the performance and concluded at the end of the evening. One painting will be sold by raffle. The proceeds will help cover costs of production, hall rental, provide a modest stipend for the musicians.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.thedancehallkittery.org or at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/338093. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

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